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I have one rock in aquarium which had some green algae growing on it. I cleaned it. But it grew back on the exact same place. Theres brown algae on my fake plants too.

I've been quite lazy with the light and air pump.

I want to know what is the difference between the brown and green algae. Why they grow? and how can I stop it from growing.

It hasn't harmed my fish. My dwarf gourami seems to nibble at it. I just don't like it.

thanks.

The brown algae is a single celled algae also known as diatoms. Common in newer tanks, it's due to an excess of nutirents in the tank and silicates. Silicates pop up in tap water and some rocks. Best way to cure it is just keep up on water changes, be patient and let your tank balance out Also, arguably, if your light is over a year old, some people have had luck with switching to a new bulb and tossing the old one.

Green algae is natual, and in most cases not harmful to fish, and as you noticed, beneficial to many as a supplemental diet. Let it grow on the rear glass and sides as appropriate, and just take it off what you don't like. You can control green algae by limiting the lighting of hte tank and keeping up on water changes

Algae, in most cases, does not harm the tank, but as you indicated, is not desired by many people for its looks. It needs nutrients and light to grow. Water changes, as Fallout says, will help pull out nitrates that build up in the tank over time. Lower stocking limits helps to cut down on nitrates, too, but most people are reluctant to do that. Plants, especially fast growing ones, will compete with the algae for nutrients. You can add algae eating creatures, such as Loracids (such as Otos or BNs), or snails or shrimp, depending on your fish population at the moment.